Anything that enters our body (microcosm)
can exert three possible effects on the organism.

It can act as food. This nourishes the
organism

It can act as medicine. This balances the
organism

It can act as poison. This disturbs the
organism.

The five elements may exert one, two, or all
three of these effects. The rule that governs the interaction between the environment and
the organism is the Law of Like and Unlike. Like increase like. Unlike decreases like.

For example, when you lie in full
sun, your
body temperature goes up. Similarly, when you take bath in cold water, your body
temperature goes down. Everything you experience, food, medicine, or poison, increases
like parts of your microcosm and decreases those parts that are unlike it. Similarly,
thought also enters your microcosm. Thought can be positive or negative and will influence
your being. Goods thoughts cheer you up. Bad thoughts will poison you and decrease your
good feelings.

Knowing what is good and what is not so
good for your personal self enables you to make informed choices in your life. Right
thoughts and attitudes actually induce prosperity. Evil thoughts and bad deeds will not
result in prosperity, but to the ultimate ruin of the microcosm.